A discussion in a Linkedin forum recently draw my attention to influential design thinkers. It was this topic that brought Lucius Burckhardt back to my mind. I just wanted to share the thoughts that I already expressed in the forum as it is not accessbible to everyone:

Personally I like his theory that products are actively taking effect into the interactions of society. He differentiates things that allow community – “Tools for conviviality” (adapted from Ivan Illich) – and artefacts that prevent social interaction. The car e.g. for Burckhardt is a good example for an object that is avoiding community as it completely prevents social interaction, what leads to recklessness and danger on the streets.

“Invisible Design. Today this means: the conventional design, that does not recognize its social function itself. I could also mean: a design of tomorrow that conciously considers invisible overall systems, consisting of objects and interpersonal relationsships.” (Lucius Burckhardt)

After translating the passages above I received a link to an English version of his essay “Design is invisible” – many thanks to Paula Thornton for this.